The common understanding identifies minerals as the natural, non-living materials that compose rocks and can be mined from the Earth. This would include metals, gemstones, clays, and ores. However, the scientific definition of a mineral is more limited. A mineral: * must be solid under ordinary conditions * must be single, homogeneous (uniform) substances. That is quartz is a mineral, but granite, a mixture quartz and other minerals, is not a mineral.
* must have definite chemical formulas, with only slight variations.
* must be of a non-biological (inorganic) origin
* must have atoms arranged in orderly rows and stacks (minerals must be made of crystals) In summary, a mineral must meet several criteria. One of these is that it be made of crystals
Minerals
the way its crystals are formed
Yes they are
It is true that lava cools quickly and forms minerals with small crystals.
What about minerals!? What do you want to learn about minerals? Minerals are thnigs like crystals and pure substances found underground. I need to know what you want to know about minerals!
Most minerals form crystals.
Most minerals form crystals.
By definition, all minerals form crystals. So a crystal can be any mineral.
No, but stones and crystals are both minerals.
no
most minerals have a distinctive crystal arrangement. those minerals that do not have their atoms arranged in crystals are called amorphous minerals.
Yes. Having a crystal structure is part of the definition of a mineral.
No. A crystal is not considered a mineral if it is organic or synthetic.
Minerals form into crystals or clusters of crystals. In the crust, the most common individual mineral is quartz, and the most common class of minerals are the silicate minerals.
Minerals
Minerals
they are classified as crystalline.